5 Types of Motivation You Need to Know About

There are numerous types of motivation that exist for some different reasons. Depending on the situation, you may feel inspired to act a certain way or perform a certain task. The reason behind your actions is your motivation. Different scenarios and individuals inspire various types of motivation.

If you have the opportunity to help someone, you may feel a sense of intrinsic motivation to do so, while someone else may not have the same feeling. If you want to understand what types of motivation exist, these five are some of the most common.

1. Extrinsic Motivation

One of the two main types of motivation includes extrinsic motivation. This occurs when a specific external outcome drives you. It could mean that you’re driven to do something to get a reward in the end, or it could mean that you want to avoid a punishment or other negative outcome when you don’t do it.

When you drive, you may choose to drive the speed limit for some reasons. Whether it’s avoiding a ticket or an accident, you are acting on extrinsic motivation, so you don’t have a negative outcome.

2. Intrinsic Motivation

Intrinsic motivation is the other main type of motivation. It makes you feel good without any kind of external reward or aversion to negative outcomes. Adopting a pet is a great example of intrinsic motivation. The same goes for meditation or holding the door open for another person.

Intrinsic motivation is something you can achieve when you put others before yourself. It may not pay the bills, but the feeling you get is usually the best benefit.

3. Social Motivation

Some people feel a desire to be a part of a group and fit in with others. If you’re one of them, you may feel social pressure or motivation to do certain activities.

If you have a group of coworkers that want to meet for a social hour and ask you to go — even though you were ready to get into your favorite pair of sweats after work, you’ll probably end up at the bar to maintain those social ties.

Bring colleagues and friends together by starting a kickball league or host a bags tournament once a month. Coming together with groups can help you collaborate and create strong bonds with others. Not to mention you can get a little bit of exercise in as well.

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4. Growth Motivation

The motivation to grow is a close relative of intrinsic motivation. People who are constantly trying to improve and better themselves usually feel a sense of happiness without any external factors or rewards.

A great example of growth motivation is people who love to volunteer. You don’t get paid to do it, and there’s no punishment if you don’t go. It’s simply the call to give back and the enjoyment of the feeling that it brings to you.

Continue to better yourself by trying new things every day. Learn a new language to help people less fortunate in other countries, or visit a nursing home and play games with the residents. The possibilities are endless when you’re motivated to improve yourself.

5. Addiction Motivation

One type of subconscious motivation includes addiction motivation. You don’t consciously consider why you feel the way you do. When your body needs something, it sends signals to let you know.

If you’ve eaten a lot of salt, chances are you’ll feel thirsty later on. That thirst is your body’s way of telling you it needs to stabilize the salt content by adding more water to your system. This discomfort motivates you to drink, which in turn rewards you by no longer feeling uncomfortable or thirsty. This is a form of addiction, although in a more positive light.

An addiction to drugs or alcohol will still create an internal addiction motivation in the form of withdrawals, but the reward or feeling that you get after you give in eventually fades away as the motivation or craving continues to grow. If addiction is something that you deal with day to day, it may be best to talk to a professional or get help if you want to stop.

What Motivates You?

These five motivation types are some of the most common, but there are more that can drive you in other ways. Motivation can change day by day and also vary by situation. Be sure to stay aware of what motivates you and continue to stay proactive about it.

That way you will meet your goals and feel good all-around. Not only because you did something that warrants a good feeling, but you also can make a difference in your community.

Kayla Matthews writes Productivity Theory and is constantly seeking to provide new tips and hacks to keep you motivated and inspired! You can also find her on Huffington Post and Tiny Buddha, and follow her on Google+ and Twitter to stay up to date on her latest productivity posts!